According to The New York Times, there are various reasons behind President Donald Trump’s lack of support for opposition leader Maria Colina Machado, particularly due to mounting tensions between her and members of his administration.
During a press conference on Saturday, following a successful military action against the Venezuelan president, Trump announced that the U.S. would not back Machado. Officials indicated to the Times that the decision stemmed from multiple factors, such as a request for CIA intelligence from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Machado’s increasingly strained relationships with administration officials.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult for her to be our leader,” Trump commented. “She’s not supported in the country, she’s not respected in the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she’s not respected.”
The report noted that Rubio and other high-ranking officials expressed their concerns about supporting Machado following Maduro’s arrest. Rubio allegedly warned that backing the rebels could lead to greater instability and necessitate a stronger U.S. military presence in Venezuela.
In the months prior to the military action, U.S. officials had grown frustrated with Machado, believing she provided incorrect assessments about Maduro’s strength. There were also doubts about her capacity to seize power afterward.
Rick Grenell, Trump’s special envoy, faced challenges in his interactions with Machado as well. After Trump became president, Grenell met with Machado in Washington, D.C. Later, during a visit to Caracas, he sought a direct meeting with key opposition leaders and requested a list of political prisoners he wished to see freed.
However, Machado opted for a phone conversation instead of a face-to-face meeting.
As stated by the newspaper, relations worsened after that phone call. Machado failed to present clear plans following the disqualification of his replacement candidate, Edmundo González. She expressed frustration with Grenell for not more robustly condemning Maduro as illegitimate, a move Grenell felt could jeopardize diplomatic relations.
Machado appeared on Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News to discuss recent events in Venezuela. She expressed gratitude not just for U.S. support but specifically for Trump’s actions, labeling them as a courageous stand against the narco-terrorism regime.
Additionally, Machado, a recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, responded to inquiries regarding Trump and the award. She mentioned that while they had not yet formally offered it to him, they wished to convey that the prize is also a recognition of the Venezuelan people’s struggle.
